How to Write a Compare/Contrast Essay
Whole to Whole comparison paper
1 .Introduction
Your introduction — like the five-paragraph-essay, should open generally (with a quotation,
anecdote, generalization), and lead into the thesis statement.
2 . Topic 1
This next portion of your essay (which may consist of one paragraph or several) should cover only
the first topic of the comparison and contrast. Compare/Contrast essays take two topics and
illustrate how they are similar and dissimilar. Do not mention topic 2 in this first portion.
3. Topic 2
This next portion of your essay (which may also consist of one or more paragraphs) should cover
the second of the two topics. Do not discuss Topic 1 in this section. Since you have already gone
into great detail about it, you may allude to Topic 1 briefly; however, do not analyze Topic 1 in this
section. This portion of the paper is to discuss Topic 2 in great detail.
4. Topics 1 and 2 Together
Now that you have analyzed both Topic 1 and Topic 2 independently, now it is time to analyze
them together. This section may also be one or several paragraphs.
5. Conclusion
The conclusion — like the introduction — should be a generalization of the thesis. This paragraph
should express your certainty and absolute knowledge on the subject matter. You should reaffirm
your thesis (essentially restate it in new words) and show how you've proven it.
Compare Transitions: Also
Likewise most important
Contrast Transitions:
on the contrary
as
as well as
same
although
similar
but
on the other hand
both
in the same manner
similarity
too
differ even though
unless
unlike
in the same way
while
however
yet
instead
nevertheless
Similarities and Differences comparison paper
1.
Introduction
Your introduction — like the five-paragraph-essay, should open generally (with a quotation,
anecdote, generalization), and lead into the thesis statement.
2. All Comparisons (Topics 1 and 2)
This section — which should consists of several paragraphs — should go through all similarities
you find in the two topics on which you are writing. There should be at least three comparisons
(essentially three short body paragraphs) in which you give an example from both topics of
comparisons in each.
3.
All Contrasts (Topics 1 and 2)
This section — which should consist of several paragraphs — should go through all differences
you find in the two topics on which you are writing. There should be at least three contrasts
(essentially three short body paragraphs) in which you give an example from both topics of
comparisons in each.
4.
Conclusion
This conclusion is wrapping up everything you have just proven in your paper. It should restate the
thesis in a new, more official way, and you should feel quite confident in your writing.
Here is a quick breakdown on how the Compare-Contrast Essay should appear:
•Type A:
•Paragraph 1: Introduction (with Thesis)
•Paragraph 2: Topic 1 (Comparison a)
•Paragraph 3: Topic 1 (Comparison b)
•Paragraph 4: Topic 1 (Comparison c)
•Paragraph 5: Topic 2 (Contrast a)
•Paragraph 6: Topic 2 (Contrast b)
•Paragraph 7: Topic 2 (Contrast c)
•Paragraph 8: (Optional) — Comparisons/Contrasts together (any topic)
•Paragraph 8: Conclusion
•Type B:
•Paragraph 1: Introduction (with Thesis)
•Paragraph 2: Comparison a (Topic 1&2)
•Paragraph 3: Comparison b (Topic 1&2)
•Paragraph 4: Comparison c (Topic 1&2)
•Paragraph 5: Contrast a (Topic 1&2)
•Paragraph 6: Contrast b (Topic 1&2)
•Paragraph 7: Contrast c (Topic 1&2)
•Paragraph 8: Conclusion
.